About Lubna

A long time ago, I was out eating mussels with extraordinarily iridescent shells … like a butterfly’s wings … I wondered what else came out of a chrysalis or cocoon … dragonflies … moths … what about people?

Weeks later, I woke up in the middle of the night and wrote “Anya and the Purple Butterfly.” I decided to illustrate it although I hadn’t drawn since I was a school girl. “A poor attempt”, but what fun!

In my search for a drawing class, I found out I could take an “Access into Art”, course and then apply to art college. After 2 years of evening classes, I got a place at Central Saint Martins.

It was a 5 year part-time degree. I was a solicitor and my firm agreed to a 4-day week, so long as I was always available if “needed”. Inevitably, law sucked in to my art time. It just wasn’t working and I had to stop. I gave up my degree and I left my job. No dream, no nightmare.

In that space of nothing and now knowing, there was a great untangling. I realised that no matter how much I disliked being a lawyer, I had to accept and appreciate all parts of me, and began to separate out the skills embedded in my resentful lawyer persona. I began making programmes about law, lecturing and advising artists online.

After a while, I picked up on my creative practice again. From presenting, I started acting a little, and writing. The Butterfly Stories has evolved into a wider project of facilitating workshops with art, dance and storytelling.

This year, my main aim is to take The Butterfly Stories out into the world in a focused way. I am learning about social media, publishing, marketing, finance, making a WordPress website etc.

I am also launching a series of workshops on contracts, copyright and collaborative working for creative professionals and small businesses. 

Lastly, I learned to meditate when I was 18 and have been exploring spiritual practice ever since. I am more present all the time, and I feel I have only just started to wake up. 

I shall be writing about this journey and share the lessons I have learned. I hope you will join me.

Best wishes

Lubna